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The Worst You Can Say About: Barack Obama
By Denise WilliamsFeb 19th 2008 8:30PM
Filed Under:eBarack Obama, Featured Stories, 2008 President, Scandal
In the next part of our series, The Worst You Can Say About... I'll be looking at some of the myths going around the intertubes about Barack Obama. (Check out the first part in the series by Jay Allbritton, who looks at what people are saying about John McCain.)
Some of our most vocal commenters here on Political Machine are very familiar with the false stories circulating about Obama. They have been most kind sharing those lies with all of us in the comment sections of our posts. Thanks to all of those who have provided me with links and insight into these unfounded rumors.
The most "popular" of these viral emails can be found on Fact Check.
These phony stories will surely become more widespread and talked about if Obama wins the Democratic nomination. So, here's my stab at creating a quick link of myth debunks for future use on 527's and the RNC:
Flat-out Untruths and Lies:
Myth #1 - Barack Hussein Obama is a Muslim (not that there's anything wrong with that).
Based on a chain email titled "Who is Barack Obama?" and it's variations.
The usual story here is that Obama's mother married a Kenyan Muslim (also named Barack Hussein Obama) divorced him and then married an Indonesian Muslim and that Barack went to an extremist Wahabbi madrassa in Jakarta, Indonesia. Variations include that because his father was Muslim, Obama will always be Muslim, and run to the extreme theory that he's some sort of Muslim Manchurian Candidate and will invite Osama bin Laden to be VP or Secretary of State. These of stories, of course, have been debunked many times by multiple sources.
Obama's mother, Ann Dunham, did indeed marry a Kenyan that she met while both attended the University of Hawaii. Barack was born in Honolulu, Hawaii in 1961. The Obama's divorced in 1963. When Barack was six his mother married Lolo Soetoro and moved to Jakarta. While there Obama attended both Muslim and Catholic schools - about 2 years each. Both schools, by their nature, offered religious instruction. When Barck was ten he was sent to live with his maternal grandmother in Honolulu and attended a secular private school on the island from 5th grade until graduation. Links that debunk this myth (there are many more):
http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/muslim.asp
http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/01/22/obama.madrassa/
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1007/6314_Page2.html
Myth #2 - Barack Hussein Obama's middle name is Muhummad.
This one cracks me up everytime I see it. His middle name is Hussein. It doesn't make it scarier to add the Muhummad in there. We get the point. See Myth #5 below.
Myth #3 - Obama swore his Senate Oath of Office on a Koran
See Myth #1. Obama is a Christian and used a Bible. Ask Dick Cheney, who administered the Oath. People who repeat this are thinking of Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN), the first Muslim Congressman, who did use a Koran in his ceremonial swearing-in. Ellison used a Koran borrowed from the Library of Congress that was owned by that crazy jihadist Thomas Jefferson.
Links that debunk this myth:
http://www.politifact.org/truth-o-meter/statements/238/
http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/muslim.asp
http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/sliming_obama.html
Myth #4 - Obama won't put his hand over his heart during the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem.
This rumor goes along perfectly with the Muslim myths as it says, "See! He's not aMurkin!" Apparently this one started after a picture was taken at the Tom Harkin Steak Fry in Iowa back in September right as this group was about ready to hear the National Anthem:
From FactCheck.org:
It is true that the U.S. Code states that "all present except those in uniform should stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart." But the word "should" rather than "shall" makes that a recommendation and not a legal requirement. To confirm, we spoke with Anne Garside, director of communication for the Maryland Historical Society – home of the original manuscript of "The Star-Spangled Banner," and asked if anyone could be punished for not placing their hands over their hearts during the national anthem. She quickly replied, "Oh, of course not," adding that "there is no obligation to put your hand over your heart."
Pictures and video of Obama holding his hand over his heart during the Pledge of Allegiance, The Nation Anthem, and even leading the Pledge as a member of the Senate can be found here, here and here.
Myth #5 - Obama's United Church of Christ parish is a black-only racist church.
And if you can't get a soul to believe the Muslim smears, you can always revert back to his OTHER church, the predominately African American Trinity United Church of Christ. Again from Fact Check is the email that I see copied and pasted here alot with the link. Unfortunately for recent visitors looking for black on white death and destruction, you'll now see the Church's mission statement AND and kindly while female Reverend waiting for you there to debunk this crap right there! You don't even need the email sent to you to get this - you can hear it on Hannity & Colmes nearly every night.
Subject: Obama's church
Obama mentioned his church during his appearance with Oprah. It's the Trinity Church of Christ. I found this interesting.
Obama's church:
Please read and go to this church's web site and read what is written there. It is very alarming.
Barack Obama is a member of this church and is running for President of the U.S. If you look at the first page of their web site, you will learn that this congregation has a non-negotiable commitment to Africa. No where is AMERICA even mentioned. Notice too, what color you will need to be if you should want to join Obama's church..._ B-L-A-C-K!!!_ Doesn't look like his choice of religion has improved much over his (former?) Muslim upbringing. Are you aware that Obama's middle name is Mohammed? Strip away his nice looks, the big smile and smooth talk and what do you get? Certainly a racist, as plainly defined by the stated position of his church! And possibly a covert worshiper of the Muslim faith, even today. This guy desires to rule over America while his loyalty is totally vested in a Black Africa!
I cannot believe this has not been all over the TV and newspapers. This is why it is so important to pass this message along to all of our family & friends. To think that Obama has even the slightest chance in the run for the presidency, is really scary.
Click on the link below:
This is the web page for the church Barack Obama belongs to: www.tucc.org/about.htm
It's also been reported widely that TUCC's magazine Trumpet gave Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan the Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr. Trumpeter Award to a man it said "truly epitomized greatness." It's covered pretty well here by Washington Post's Richard Cohen. Obama's adamant disavowal of the church magazine's decision here.
Now there are plenty of legitimate reasons to knock this candidate - his issues, his substance and his words recently are more than enough fodder for anyone. It's a shame in 2008 that we still see irrational fear and loathing of people and cultures we don't understand. We are Americans and we should be alot better than this.
Stay tuned for our next chapter in The Worst Thing You Can Say About...
Recent Comments
(Page 1 of 18)DavidG7:53PMFeb 19th 2008
I believe most of the Muslim stuff now is coming from Barack's hard-core supporters, because they know it's easy to debunk. They post it, then debunk it...there see what a racist you are?
The problem with the Trinity church is more in the writings of the pastor, from what I hear. They also do have a link to Trumpet magazine, and they do call Louis Farrakhan "The Honorable Minister" on the cover of the mag. It's right there to see.
My big issue with the Muslim thing is not so much what he believes, but what the fundamentalist Muslim world believes about him. I just can't get an answer to this one. Do they consider him a Muslim by birthright? Will he be in trouble if he says "sorry guys, not a Muslim"? He says himself he will sit in a room with these people and negotiate. What if they kill him for denouncing Islam? I think it's not way out crazy to wonder about it. If I were Barack Obama, I would want to know the answer to that one myself!
My other main concern, going back to the ice cream story is that Barack Obama is indeed Ben & Jerry's, whipped full of air and full of all kinds of exotic ingredients, but without really much substance. I'll stick to Haaagen-Daz, heavier but real.
It also doesn't help matters that if you say anything other than "Barack Obama is the most wonderful thing that has ever happened on this Earth" you are roundly called a racist. Is it going to be that way after he's president? Will we be allowed to question or criticize? It sure doesn't seem like it from what I have encountered so far.
How can we not have real questions about a first term Senator coming out of nowhere and all but insisting that he is entitled to be leader of the free world?
Why are we not allowed to have questions? It's truly frightening.
I feel that in 4 - 8 years all of those questions may be answered...maybe these doubts are all for naught. I don't understand why Barack and his supporters won't give it time. He's 46 years old. In 8 years he will still be young, by presidential standards.
So let's stop with the phoney fake questions already and ask some real ones, and demand that Barack answer them. No more "he's a muslim" smokescreens.
Thanks.
ryguymotox8:07PMFeb 19th 2008
As always... I laugh at how all the writer's in this website are anti-Hillary. You'll say anything good about Obama, and stand up for him, but you'll never give Hillary equal negative exposure or commend her for any good she's doing. Thanks for finally taking off those horrible pictures of her. I was in front of her face at a Rally in Los Angeles, she looks like a billion dollars in person, stop putting up the most horrible picture of her you can find. Your "smooth" anti-Hillary regimes don't fool the smartestof us. By the way, isn't it nice how the most self sufficient economies (California, NY, Florida, etc.) all voted for Hillary. It says alot when people who come from more advanced and educated parts of this country, all vote for Hillary. Come on guys, do some research for once.
Hako8:26PMFeb 19th 2008
Okay Denise, I'm seeing real clarification. And I see the Obama campaign dancing around some issues to. You say Obama's mother was married to a " Kenyan" include no further details. Was he, or was he not, a muslim? The biological father I mean. My understanding that both his fathers are muslim. Which would make him a Muslim in the Arab World...and anywhere else you find people living under Islamic law.
Go08Vote8:32PMFeb 19th 2008
Barack Obama is false hope for the Democratic. His speech which helps his rise to fame will be his down fall in the end.
Can anyone tell me one country which has a black president and is prosper?
Can anyone tell me one state in USA that govern by a black person and is prosper?
Can anyone tells me one black community and is prospering?
If Obama become the nominee I will vote for McCain. American people will vote for McCain if Obama vs. McCain. My vote is for experience and prosperity. So, I will switch my vote for McCain.
The Right Wing Republican know and betting on the fact with 67% white population on Election Day. They will vote for white man over black man (that a hard fact but it is true).
I am not Republican or Democratic. I only support for Hillary because here what I know. When Bill Clinton was in office, America was prospering, surplus budget, peace, and America was growing. Hillary will continue this legacy. Vote Now!
Barack Obama8:32PMFeb 19th 2008
My people hear me. Lean me your ear. I am your messiah. I am who I am. My father has sent me to you so I can save you from salvation. Follow me to the land of milk and honey. I will lead you to the promise land. I will unite all people around the world. I will convert Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, Jews, and all religions to the kingdom of heaven. There we will become messenger of Allah and have 45 virgin wives. Follow me, I am Barack Hussein Obama
krysieface8:38PMFeb 19th 2008
thanks! obama 08
Cecil Jones8:45PMFeb 19th 2008
These are all great debunks, but they are meaningless to anyone with a political mind. The greatest knock on Obama is "He's Wet Behind The Ears!" He's a "Mama's Boy!" He's soft on national security and wrong to offer illegals a driver's license. He doesn't know the facts and details that led America into 9-11. He does not have the guts to fight because he doesn't see the danger of the threat! Our Constitution is broken and the 9-11 Thugs didn't do it! Endless war and war profiteering reward Bush's base for their silence and their loyalty. Obama argues to ignore the facts. Obama is using "We Can" and "Oprah" in an all or nothing gamble for the Black Race! What if Obama gets nothing? He set back the movement unnecessarily by injecting his selfish ego in the process. Dr. King would have selected the President instead of demanding he be elected the President. Selecting the President would have insured access to the White House on a 24 hour basis! If Obama doesn't win, then who gets in? Where was Oprah's endorsement in 2004? Beware of those who smile a crooked smile. They may not be as "Black" as you think!
tronjaeger8:50PMFeb 19th 2008
I don't care if he's Muslim, black, white, female, male; or some where in the middle..he stands for...what??? CHANGE??
Anyone going into the presidency (Except McCain) will have to make changes after Bush gets through..Didn't John Edwards start the chant for CHANGE at the first Dem debate??? With all of Obama's idea's comming from "others"; How can he take all the credit?? What does he stand for when he can't even give credit to the people he takes his idea's from?..Does he have any original idea's?? Other than his amnisty for Illegal's, what does he stand for?? Even his health care is similar to Hillary's...Maybe John Edwards should give him some NEW idea's for his speaches..Who is this guy REALLY??
Mark8:57PMFeb 19th 2008
The most obnoxious thing about the whole claim that Obama is a "closet Muslim" and only became a Christian is because it is politically expedient is the implicit charge that he lied at his baptism. Of course, nobody knows a person's heart's intentions but God, and there are certainly plenty of people who have been baptized who went on to be perfect hellions. But for an adult to go forward, make unambigious commitments forsaking former idolatrous commitments and committing oneself to Christ, is about the most momentius act one can do. To accuse a person of lying about that assumes a level of divine omniscience that is pretty arrogant -- and very mean.
Vic8:59PMFeb 19th 2008
Here are the facts folks..
Let's take a closer look at who’s really qualified and or who's really
working for the good of all of us in the Senate. Obama or Clinton.
Records of these two candidates should be scrutinized in order to make an
informed decision.
SENATOR CLINTON : Senator Clinton, who has served only one full term - 6 yrs. - and another
year campaigning, has managed to author and pass into law - 20 - twenty
pieces of legislation in her first six years. These bills can be found on the website of the Library of Congress but to save you trouble, I'll post them here for you.
1. Establish the Kate Mullany National Historic Site.
2. Support the goals and ideals of Better Hearing and Speech Month.
3. Recognize the Ellis Island Medal of Honor.
4. Name courthouse after Thurgood Marshall.
5. Name courthouse after James L. Watson.
6. Name post office after Jonn A. O'Shea.
7. Designate Aug. 7, 2003, as National Purple Heart Recognition Day.
8. Support the goals and ideals of National Purple Heart Recognition Day.
9. Honor the life and legacy of Alexander Hamilton on the bicentennial of his death.
10. Congratulate the Syracuse Univ. Orange Men's Lacrosse Team on winning the championship.
11. Congratulate the Le Moyne College Dolphins Men's Lacrosse Team on winning the championship.
12. Establish the 225th Anniversary of the American Revolution Commemorative Program.
13. Name post office after Sergeant Riayan A. Tejeda.
14. Honor Shirley Chisholm for her service to the nation and express condolences on her death.
15. Honor John J. Downing, Brian Fahey, and Harry Ford, firefighters who lost their lives on duty. Only
five of Clinton's bills are, more substantive.
16. Extend period of unemployment assistance to victims of 9/11.
17. Pay for city projects in response to 9/11 18. Assist landmine victims in other countries.
19. Assist family caregivers in accessing affordable respite care.
20. Designate part of the National Forest System in Puerto Rico as protected in the
wilderness preservation system.
There you have it, the fact's straight from the Senate Record. Now, I would post those of Obama's, but the list is too substantive, so I'll mainly categorize.
Obama : During the first - 8 - eight years of his elected service he sponsored over 820 bills. Bills he introduced included
233 regarding healthcare reform,
125 on poverty and public assistance,
112 crime fighting bills,
97 economic bills,
60 human rights and anti-discrimination bills,
21 ethics reform bills,
15 gun control,
6 veterans affairs and many others.
His first year in the U.S. Senate, he authored 152 bills and co-sponsored
another 427. These included **The Coburn-Obama Government Transparency Act of 2006 - became law, **The Lugar-Obama Nuclear Non-proliferation and
Conventional Weapons Threat Reduction Act, - became law, **The Comprehensive Immigration Reform* Act, passed the Senate, *The 2007 Government Ethics
Bill, became law, **The Protection Against Excessive Executive Compensation Bill,
In committee, and many more. In all, since entering the U.S. Senate, Senator Obama has written 890 bills and co-sponsored another 1096. An impressive record, for someone who supposedly has no record according to some who would prefer that this comparison not be made public. He's not just a talker. He's a doer.
Hillary supporters are fools...
rchattwood9:00PMFeb 19th 2008
He will beat the Clinton family quite easily, and McCain will unfortunatly have to run against him.
antho0929:04PMFeb 19th 2008
Barack Obama is a joke.....If he is the Democratic nominee...I will for the first time vote Republican!!!
antho0929:06PMFeb 19th 2008
Barack Obama is a joke.....If he is the Democratic nominee...I will for the first time vote Republican!!!
tronjaeger9:09PMFeb 19th 2008
Obama lost my vote when he said Illegals are not the problem which causes Americans to loose their jobs..Really?? What rock is his head under?? I can name hundreds of people who lost their jobs to illegals..or who can't get one because illegals will work cheeper..Not all Americans are fortunate enough to have college degrees or are bilingual..Where are their voices?? Who is fighting for them???
Black people talk about how they are being repressed by the "white man."..Now they get to vote for a "Black man" who wants to repress them more by giving amnisty to illegals..SMART MOVE...
jpgoodrow9:15PMFeb 19th 2008
THE BEST YOU CAN SAY ABOUT OBAMA...
-He plagarized his speech materials.
-His wife has never been proud of America.
-He stole "YES WE CAN"
-"His" plans always look much like Clintons.
-He attacks Hillary for being the "apst" yet most of his preaching is 1960 MLK.
-He preaches "UNITY" while his camp insinuates former President Clinton is a lying racist.
HILLARY '08
Experience DOES Matter
TruthBeKnown9:32PMFeb 19th 2008
A child born of a Muslim Father, is by Islamic Law, a Muslim. That is a Birthright. As a child born of a Jewess, is a Jew by birth. To their GOD, these people are born.
Revelations states: "He will quickly rise to great power, and will deny his people."
Obamas real father was killed in Kenya, a covert troublemaker. Mommy the athiest, parents obviously are rich to have sent Obama to private school. That is not an average Black mans experience. Mocha Latte Obama will be shown up for what he truly is in the end. Curdled milk and coffee. Smells good enough, but will gag and make you sick when you ingest it. Oh yes, our world will be so much better! If Obama takes care of Americans as good as he does his grandmother in Kenya, we are all guaranteed cement block garages to live in, where "mansions" costs less than the designer purse 'Bamas wife carries.
hillaryisabitch9:33PMFeb 19th 2008
yea hillary is a bitch
the only people that like her are old people
and thats because they have alzheimers and think that shes bill
i can relate to bill
i would also have gone to the likes of monica lewinsky if i were stuck with her
mary9:35PMFeb 19th 2008
Denise get your head out of the sand, any one who has not looked into Obama Mama's and seen that he is Muslium and he has visited Kenya not to visit family but to take part in some political affairs with his because he is muslium, he changes to other religions when it fits his agenda, if he is a christian why dishonor the flag and bible. The media will win this race for him, he can not even write his own speech's so who ever does its their words not his, so get real and look beyound the chrisam of the man. I will vote for mccain if obama mama gets in as all of the democrates in our area. God Help America and the Middle Class Working people who are paying this guys salary so he can run and screw us in the end.
jerry Farber9:42PMFeb 19th 2008
Barak Obama is a chameleon. He is a great impersonator with no substance of his own. His church recently cleaned up there act while Obama is running. How gullible can people be? God only knows what his true agenda is. But i don't think it is in Americas best interest.
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David S.7:47PMFeb 19th 2008
Bravo, Denise, for tackling this head on! I am sick of the wackos commenting on here and spreading lies. You are correct - don't like Obama, folks, quit being lazy and attack his voting record or his stance on issues (you can google it, for pete's sake). That is fair game for any candidate.
As I have said before, it is the lowest of low to attack one's religion or ethnicity. No doubt those smearing Obama the most would call themselves good Christians. Just like the Latino haters, gay haters, etc.